As in the previous year, Tajikistan is rated Not Free in Freedom in the World, Freedom House's annual study of political rights and civil liberties worldwide. 

In the “civil freedoms” category, Tajikistan got only 8 out of 100 maximum possible scores; while in the “political freedoms” category, Tajikistan awarded zero scores (the worst possible rate).  

To be rated Partially Free, a country must got not less than 34 out of 100 maximum possible scores.  

Kyrgyzstan is the only Central Asian nation that was rated last year Partially Free with 39 scores.  This year, it got 29 scores and dropped in the ranking to its neighbors.  

As in the previous year, Kazakhstan with 23 scores, Uzbekistan with 11 scores and Turkmenistan with 2 scores are rated Not Free this year 

Russia with 20 scores is also rated Not Free.  

Freedom in the World is a yearly survey and report by the U.S.-based and partially U.S. government funded non-governmental organization Freedom House that measures the degree of civil liberties and political rights in every nation and significant related and disputed territories around the world.  Since 1973, Freedom House has assessed the condition of political rights and civil liberties around the world. It is used on a regular basis by policymakers, journalists, academics, activists, and many others.

The Freedom in the World report is composed of numerical ratings and supporting descriptive texts for 195 countries and 15 territories.  External analysts assess 210 countries and territories, using a combination of on-the-ground research, consultations with local contacts, and information from news articles, nongovernmental organizations, governments, and a variety of other sources.  Expert advisers and regional specialists then vet the analysts’ conclusions. The final product represents the consensus of the analysts, advisers, and Freedom House staff.

For each country and territory, Freedom in the World analyzes the electoral process, political pluralism and participation, the functioning of the government, freedom of expression and of belief, associational and organizational rights, the rule of law, and personal autonomy and individual rights.